Station 14: Christ is laid in the Holy Sepulchre
V. We adore Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, and bless Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
The Mystery
This Station represents Christ's Sepulchre, where His blessed body was laid with piety and devotion.
Consider the emotions of the Virgin - her eyes streaming with tears, her bosom heaving with sighs. What melancholy, what wistful looks she cast on that monument where treasure of her soul, her Jesus, her all, lay entombed. Here lament your want of contrition for your sins, and humbly adore your deceased Lord, who, poor even in death, is buried in another's tomb. Blush at your dependence on the world, at the eager solicitude with which you labor to grasp its perishable advantages. Despise henceforth the world, lest you perish with it.
Prayer
Charitable Jesus, for my salvation Thou performed the painful journey of the Cross. Let me press the footsteps marked by Thee, gracious Redeemer - the paths which, through the thorns of life, conduct to the heavenly Jerusalem. Would that Thou wert entombed in my heart, that being united to Thee, I might rise to a new life of grace, and persevere to the end. Grant me, in my last moments, to receive Thy precious Body, as the pledge of immortal life. Let my last words be Jesus and Mary, my least breath be united to Thy last breath on the Cross; that with a lively faith, a firm hope and ardent love, I may die with Thee and for Thee; that I may reign with Thee for ever and ever. Amen, Jesus.
Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory be
Jesus Christ crucified, have mercy on us!
You pious Christians, raise your voices, raise,
And join with me to sing your Saviour's praise,
Who shed His blood for us and died in pain,
To save our souls from hell's eternal flame.
Conclusion
Compassionate Jesus! behold with eyes of mercy this devotion I have endeavored to
perform, in honor of Thy bitter passion and death, in order to obtain remission of my
sins, and the pains incurred by them. Accept of it for the salvation of the living and the
eternal repose of the faithful departed, particularly for those whom I directed it. Do
not, my Jesus, suffer the ineffable price of Thy blood to be fruitless, nor my miserable
soul ransomed by it, to perish. The voice of Thy blood is louder for mercy than my
crimes for vengeance. Have mercy then, O Lord! have mercy, and spare me for Thy
mercy's sake! Amen, Jesus.
